2024 Cohort Report – Science Advice Skills Development Program (SASDP)
Science advice is a key area for science capacity development in Africa. It has the potential to create notable contributions to developing research and innovation in Africa. The scientific community in the African continent is engaged in a range of scientific research in different areas, specifically to address the continent’s various challenges. The employment of relevant African scientific knowledge in decision making must be emphasised as this is important for society. There is an urgent need for effective communication to connect scientists and policymakers. There is also a responsibility for scientists to convey their knowledge and findings of their research to policy makers, and to the public.
INGSA-Africa, the Regional Chapter of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice, in its aim to build capacity of African Scientists across Africa for effective communication of science advice, developed a mentorship Program – Science Advice Skills Development Program (SASDP) that ran over a period of 3 months in 2022. The objective of the SASDP was to support mid-career African scientists and researchers in strengthening their skills to communicate their research results and viewpoints as science advice to their identified audiences and to foster their overall development.
The SASDP with a theme of Climate Change in Africa, focusing on areas of Health, Water, Energy and Food Security has thus become a yearly project. A call for the 3rd cohort of mentees and mentors launched in June 2024 attracted 60 mentee and 111 mentor applicants, respectively. After a rigorous screening process, 22 mentees and mentors, each were finally selected to undertake a 6-month program between September 2024 and March 2025.
The mentees (12 male and 10 female) came from all five sub-regions of Africa (North, Southern, East, West and Centra) and the Islands, including first timers from Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Their areas of expertise included Medicine, Parasitology, Agricultural Economics and Extension, Microbiology, Linguistics and Cultural Studies, Cancer Biology, Actuarial Science, Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, Data Science and Nanomaterials. The mentors who were selected from Africa, Europe, North America and The Caribbeans included some who were on the SASDP-1 and SASDP-2.
The SASDP started with a contact phase in the form of a virtual mentor-mentee Introductory Workshop on 26 September 2024 where core topics – such as introduction to tools for transformative policy advice and experiences, balancing political realities and scientific advice and the role of science in addressing climate change in the African continent – were addressed by invited specialists in science advice. Seventeen mentees (10 males and 7 females finally completing the program). The SASDP-3 officially ended on 3rd April 2025 with a virtual Closing Workshop at which findings and outputs of the mentorship program were shared by the mentees while the mentors discussed their experience engaging with mentees.
Below is a Summary of 2023’s mentees and mentors and their final projects. For full details, download the 2024 SASDP Report here.
Mentee
Dr Deborah Olufunmilola Ayodele-Olajire
University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Mentor
Nataliia Sokolovska
Lead, “Knowledge and Society” research program, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, Germany
Project
Bridging the Gap: The Role of Science and the Academia in Advancing Nigeria’s Energy Transition
Summary
Nigeria’s energy transition is a national priority and scientific expertise is a crucial part of this process, yet researchers remain overlooked in policy decisions. The project highlighted Nigerian scientists’ contributions to the clean cooking transition.
Mentee
Dr Chinwoke Clara Ifeanyi-obi
Lead for Gender Responsive Climate Change Adaptation Initiative in Nigerian Agriculture (GCAINA).
Mentor
Dorine Odongo
Senior, Manager, Communications, Strategy and Engagement, World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Kenya.
Project
Enhancing Climate Resilient Agriculture in Nigeria through the Utilisation of Gender Responsive SMART Monitor (G-SMART Monitor)
Summary
Efforts to tackle climate change effects in Nigerian rural agricultural sector, which comprised over 70% of women, must be gender responsive. The G-SMART Monitor is aimed to bridge the gap through adopting a participatory and inclusive approach to develop a real time tool to aid in tracking the implementation of gender components in existing policies and frameworks in agricultural sector.
Mentee
Dr Razanamaro Onja Hariveloniaina Morilline
Malagasy botanist, Madagascar
Mentor
Professor Paul Arthur Berkman
Founder and President of the Science Diplomacy Center, USA
Project
Ivato Declaration Implementation: Science Advice Model
Summary
Ivato Declaration redefined with Government alignment, Senator Discussion, Presidential Implementation
Mentee
Dr Aliyu Muhammad
Associate Professor of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Mentor
Prof Mohamed Hamzawy
Professor and Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Fayoum University, Egypt
Project
Assessing Public Perception of Climate Change and Its Links to Breast Cancer Risk Factors in Nigeria: Implications for Health Policy and Advocacy
Summary
Climate change is a global issue affecting public health, including breast cancer. Among the respondents/key stakeholders, the project observed a substantial knowledge deficit regarding breast cancer risk factors (39.7%) and climate change policies (92.6%). Targeted public campaigns are needed to highlight the interconnection between climate change and breast cancer risk factors.
Mentee
Dr Lucy K.L. Mandillah
Senior Lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya
Mentor
Dr Jane Yau
Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Germany
Project
Indigenous Knowledge and Policy for Biodiversity Conservation
Summary
The project explored the role of indigenous conservation practices in biodiversity protection, focusing on African totems and traditional ecological knowledge. It highlighted the threats posed by modernization and policy gaps, proposing solutions such as documentation, education, legal frameworks, and stakeholder collaboration to integrate indigenous knowledge into national conservation policies.
Mentee
Dr Queensley C. Chukwudum
Senior lecturer at the University of Uyo, Nigeria
Mentor
Prof Norbert Francois Tchouaffe Tchiadje
Senior Researcher at the Pan-African Institute for Development.
Project
Unlocking Climate Finance for Structural Transformation in sub-Saharan Africa
Summary
This study analyzed public climate finance flows in sub-Saharan Africa using the CFU-BFU framework. It evaluated funding allocation, disbursement efficiency, risk responsiveness, and governance. Results highlighted disparities in performance, with some funds showing efficient disbursement and others exposed to corruption. The findings emphasized the need for structural reforms in climate finance.
Mentee
Assoc. Prof Monday Osagie Adenomon
Associate Professor of Statistics and Director Centre for Cyberspace Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
Mentor
Assoc. Prof Peter Elias
Team Lead, Lagos Urban Studies Group and the Co-Director, Centre for Housing and Sustainable Development, University of Lagos
Project
Building the capacity of the Next Generation STEM Researchers to Influence Policy in Nigeria and Africa
Summary
Sometimes it could be a challenge for upcoming STEM researchers to face the problem of how to navigate from theory to practice. Hence the need to build the capacity of the next Generation STEM researchers to influence policy in Nigeria and Africa. The impact of efficient mentoring, collaboration, volunteering and data science story telling have the potential to influence policy in Nigeria and Africa.
Mentee
Dr Victorien Tamègnon Dougnon
Associate Professor of Microbiology at EPAC, University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin
Mentor
Prof Kabiru Olusegun Akinyemi
Director, Department of Microbiology, Lagos State University, Nigeria
Project
Strengthening Community-Based Hygiene Interventions and Healthcare Professional Training to Reduce Maternal and Neonatal Infections in Benin
Summary
This study aimed to explore the impact of integrating community-based hygiene interventions with healthcare professional training to reduce maternal and neonatal infections in Benin. Infections remain a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality, exacerbated by inadequate hygiene practices.
Mentee
Dr Roger Yoboue Guy Koffi
Alassane Ouattara University in Côte d’Ivoire
Mentor
Dr Abdess Salem Saumtally
Chairman of the Board of the Higher Education Commission Mauritius and a Fellow of the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology
Project
Understanding and Acting: Towards a Sustainable Food Environment for Central-Western Côte D’Ivoire
Summary
In Côte d’Ivoire, agriculture is based on coffee and cocoa. The deterioration of climatic conditions and the politico-military crisis have led to a decline in agricultural production, making food supplies insufficient. Households are therefore exposed to the risk of food insecurity. This situation highlights an urgent need to rethink agricultural priorities and establish a sustainable food environment in west-central Côte d’Ivoire.
Mentee
Prof Julius Caesar Puoza
Associate Professor at Sunyani Technical University, Ghana
Mentor
Dr Tiangoua Kone
Lecturer at the Université Nangui Abrogoua, Côte d’Ivoire
Project
Cutting Fossil Greenhouse Gas Emissions with Tailored Internal Combustion (IC) Engines
Summary
Internal combustion engines (ICEs) remain key in transportation and industry but contribute approximately 16% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This policy brief explores tailored ICE technologies such as laser surface texturing as a means to reduce emissions while supporting sustainable transport solutions.
Mentee
Dr Clarietta Chagwiza
Senior PDR Fellow at the University of Pretoria, South Africa
Mentor
Liliana Pasecinic
Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Belgium.
Project
Governance, Research and Development Expenditure and Economic Growth nexus in South Africa: A Policy Brief
Summary
Chronic government investment in research and development (R&D) in conjunction with ill-governance pose challenges to the development efforts in South Africa and the African continent at large. This policy brief examined the effect of governance on the relationship between R&D expenditure and economic growth in South Africa.
Mentee
Dr Rasheed Olatunji Moruf
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at Bayero University, Nigeria
Mentor
Dr Adeogun Oludare Akanni
Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos, Nigeria
Project
Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation of Freshwater Snails from River Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria: Implications for Ecological Risk and Public Health
Summary
This study highlighted the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in freshwater snails, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring. Such scientific evidence can support policymakers in developing strategies to mitigate ecological and human health risks, including improved water quality standards and stricter industrial waste regulations.
Mentee
Assoc. Prof Elsayed Gamal Zaki
Associate professor at the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute
Mentor
Prof Abdel-Tawab Halim Mossa
Head of Pesticide Chemistry Department, Egypt
Project
Optimized Synthesis of Low Carbon Footprint Biodegradable Films from Gellan Gum/Crataegus Sinaica Nanocomposites for Sustainable Food Packaging
Summary
The demand for sustainable food packaging has driven the development of biodegradable materials with minimal environmental impact. This study focused on enhancing gellan gum/Crataegus sinaica nanocomposites to produce biodegradable films with improved mechanical strength, flexibility, and biodegradability, while maintaining a reduced carbon footprint.
Mentee
Dr Francis-Daniel Menga
Energy and environment researcher, Cameroon
Mentor
Dr Mario Rivero Huguet
Head, Science, Policy and Innovation, AI and Digital Technologies Lead, British High Commission, Ottawa, Canada
Project
Resilient Energy Science and Policy in Cameroon
Summary
This project identified the problem of climate-induced declines in hydropower production, and proposes an integrated energy-climate tool. Solutions include scientific deliverables, stakeholder training and strategic partnerships. The aim was to position Cameroon as a leader in the green transition.
Mentee
Dr Armelle Tsamo Tontsa
Cameroonian Academy of Young Scientists, Global Young Academy, Cameroon
Mentor
Prof Sherine Ibrahim Farrag
Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Former Member of the Egyptian Parliament
Project
Safeguarding Traditional Antimalarial Medicines in a Changing Climate: Urgent Call for Conservation and Policy Action
Summary
This project underscored the urgent need to safeguard medicinal plant resources through biodiversity conservation, sustainable cultivation, and botanical characterization to enhance standardization, registration, and the integration of improved traditional medicines into health policies. This project will be implemented by advocating the legal framework to governments, parliamentarians, and senators.
Mentee
Dr Musah Abdulai
Lecturer at Sunyani Technical University, Ghana
Mentor
Prof Benjamin Vallejo Jr.
Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, University of the Philippines
Project
Ghana’s Energy Future: Strengthening Privatization, Infrastructure, and Renewable Development for Sustainable Growth.
Summary
Ghana’s energy consumption has increased rapidly since 2017, driven by industrial expansion and urbanization, with oil, natural gas, and biomass dominating the energy mix. Although crude oil production has declined by 10% annually since 2019, domestic resources such as the Jubilee and TEN fields remain significant. This policy brief explores privatization of the energy sector while supporting, infrastructure development, and renewable energy promotion.
Mentee
Dr Ahmed Amara Konate
General Director of Research at the Higher Institute of Mines and Geology of Boké, Guinea
Mentor
Prof Khaled Mohamed Said Ibrahim Gemail
Professor of Environmental Geophysics and the Director of the Environmental Geophysics Research Center (ZEGL)at Zagazig University, Egypt
Summary
Siguiri, known for its wealth in gold, has for years experienced an increasingly growing boom in the field of gold panning. In order to reduce the impact of gold panning on the environment and provide security for gold miners, it is necessary to raise education, awareness-raising and training for stakeholders involved.